Map of England showing where the Sikes arms are recorded
The Sikes arms were recorded in England, c. 1853.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Sikes arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Sikes Family in England
The surname Sikes is a topographic name that originated in Northern England, specifically derived from the Old English word "sic," which refers to a small stream or a marshy watercourse. Families bearing this name likely lived near such a geographical feature, leading neighbors to identify them by their proximity to the land. By the mid-19th century, the Sikes family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1853 confirm that members of the family were active residents within the city walls during this period of rapid industrial growth. As the family settled into urban life, they contributed to the local community while maintaining a connection to a name that reflects the ancient landscape of the English countryside.
Sikes Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Sik
Old Norse term for a marshy stream or watercourse.
This name
SikesA topographical surname for someone who lived near a small stream or ditch.
also spelled
Sykes
Sykys
Sykess
Related arms
Sykesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, UK, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851, HO 107
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
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roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
